MITF protects against oxidative damage-induced retinal degeneration by regulating the NRF2 pathway in the retinal pigment epithelium.

ABSTRACT: Oxidative damage is one of the major contributors to retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), while RPE mediated antioxidant defense plays an important role in preventing retinopathies. However, the regulatory mechanisms of antioxidant signaling in RPE cells are poorly understood. Here we show that transcription factor MITF regulates the antioxidant response in RPE cells, protecting the neural retina from oxidative damage. In the oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration mouse model, retinal degeneration in Mitf+/- mice is significantly aggravated compared to WT mice. In contrast, overexpression of Mitf in Dct-Mitf transgenic mice and AAV mediated overexpression in RPE cells protect the neural retina against oxidative damage. Mechanistically, MITF b

SUBMITTER: Han S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7191850 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature